The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-07-07
GENUINE FARMERS COLLEGES
( Their Work and Benefits -
Paper LITTLE Massachusetts, agricultural
College at Amherst-Described for the
Information of North Carolina
Farmers, by a.Gentleman
Who aUas There Last


Our illustration gives an excellent
idea of the farm and buildings. In
the foreground are the plant houses,
and near by the Botanic museum. Be-
yond, to the left, is the boarding house
and a professors residence then comes
the old laboratory building, next the
North college, then the new South
college, beyond which is the beautiful
chapel and library building. Next, to
the right, is the drill hall and armory;
and beyond the great barn, the farm
house not being shown in the cut. The
old house in the foreground to the
right is O used as a students board
ing club house, and further to the left
than the picture shows, are located the
grounds and buildings of the expert
ment station. The South college and
chapel, as is we'll known were built
during the administration of President
Greenough, and are a monument of
his good work in that direction.
The Massachusetts, Agricultural
College was never in better condition
in every way than at present. There
have been times when the institution
made more noise and appeared to be
thriving beyond precedent, but never
before was the entire institution on
such a solid basis and doing such good
work in all departments.
To visit the College during these
delightful June days is a treat for all
good farmers and others interested in
agricultural education. The whole
grounds tastefully laid out, present a
beautiful appearance, and are the CEN
ter Of some of the finest scenery in the
far-famed Connecticut valley. 1t is
good to break in upon the recitations
and lectures unexpectedly, and hear
the everyday instruction which the
bright looking students receive.
Maj. II. E. Alvord, professor of az
riculture, is caught concluding a series
of lectures on n and fertilizers,
and branching off into the subject of
pastures and pasture grasses. He
plucked a dozen different kinds of
grasses as he walked from his house to
the classroom and uses them to illus
trate his remarks. The students paw
particular attention to all such matters
of practical illustration, and when the
professor comes across some grass the
name of which he has not verified, he
doesn't pretend to guess at it, for
likely enough some Of the boys might
be able to correct him. The college
professor very soon finds out that it
won't do to attempt to impart infor-
nation that he doesn't know himself.
What Prof. Alvord tells the boys
about pastures will be Endorsed by
many practical farmers /; but if any
thing he doesn't consider the matter
enough, for we all know that pastures
are the most neglected part of the
farm. If shade is to be provided in
pastures let it be on the high land !;
and if salt or fodder is to be given in
the pasture, let it be done on the high
land also, and never down by the
brook or in the lowland. In the lat
ter case the droppings are more likely
to wash away and be lost whereas,
if the animals rest on the upland, their
droppings will be washed down and
distributed over the sloping land that
needs them most.
A small agricultural museum opens
OFF of the le%cture-room, and here is a
large collection of grasses, grains and
other crops, including 80 varieties Of
oats grown. We look over with in
terest the big piles of account-books,
IN which each member of the class
has been ohlirod To Loop on ooo,ro+o